General Information

Autumn is a good time to sow some winter salads. Now that the days are getting shorter, winter salads are less prone to bolting as they prefer the cooler temperatures. We ran this article several years ago, but it might be of interest to someone who has established their allotment over the last number of years or who has some free time over the winter months.

Types of winter salad

Winter salads can be divided into two categories, oriental salads and lettuce.

Oriental salads have become quite fashionable over the last number of years and can add a different dimension to a salad bowl with their variety of colours and spicy taste. Oriental salads largely belong to the Brassica family and will need to be included as part of your rotation plan.

• The following should be planted in your brassica section: mibuna, mizuna, mustard, komatsuna, pak choi, rocket, tatsoi.

• All other Winter salads can be grown in the lettuce section of your allotment.

Tips for growing Winter salads

• You can sow the seeds directly into the ground or in modular trays.

• Sow 4 to 5 seeds per modular tray, 1.5 cm deep and water regularly as the seeds do not like to get stressed.

• Sow in succession as the plants can be quite short lived.

• Space 25 cm between rows and 20 cm between plants.

• Grow in a raised bed and keep weed free unless you want weeds in your salad bowl!!

• Get seedlings in the ground by early Autumn.

• Grow plants in a sheltered, sunny spot, to protect them from cold winter winds.

• Ensure the soil is free-draining, as plants can freeze if left standing in pools of icy water.

• Cover with a cloche to increase temperatures and protect from the worst of the weather.